If you own a pool in Illinois, you know that summer weather can change quickly. One minute it’s sunny and calm, and the next you’re dealing with strong winds, heavy rain, or even severe storms and tornadoes.
For pool owners, severe weather doesn’t just mean bringing in the patio furniture. Leaves, branches, dirt, grass, and other debris can quickly end up in your pool, leaving you with a messy cleanup and potentially affecting your water quality.
The good news? A little preparation and consistent maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your pool cleaner and making post-storm cleanup much easier.
Why Keeping Debris Out Matters
Pool debris isn’t just an eyesore. Leaves, grass, twigs, and other organic material can introduce contaminants into your water and make your sanitizer work harder.
When debris builds up, it can also clog skimmer baskets and filters, restrict water circulation, and contribute to cloudy or unbalanced water.
Keeping your pool clear means less work for your filtration system and less work for you.
1. Keep Your Pool Covered When It’s Not in Use
A quality pool cover is one of the simplest ways to limit the amount of debris that makes its way into your pool.
A cover can help keep out:
- Leaves and grass
- Dirt and dust
- Small branches and twigs
- Bugs and other unwanted debris
- Rainwater and runoff
However, not all pool covers are designed to handle severe weather or heavy debris. Before a major storm, make sure your cover is properly installed and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wind and weather conditions.
2. Keep Your Surrounding Area Clean
Your pool can only stay as clean as the area around it.
Regularly trim trees and shrubs around your pool and remove loose branches, sticks, and other debris from the yard. During storm season, take a few extra minutes to inspect the area around your pool for anything that could become a problem in high winds.
Think about everything within and around your pool area that could end up in the water.
That includes:
Patio furniture. Secure or store chairs, tables, umbrellas, and other lightweight items before severe weather arrives.
Toys and floats. Bring them inside or store them somewhere secure.
Loose landscaping materials. Check for unsecured decorations, planters, tools, and other objects that could be blown into the pool.
The less loose material around your pool, the less debris you’ll have to remove later.
3. Skim Your Pool Regularly
Even with a cover and a clean pool area, some debris is inevitable.
Make skimming part of your regular pool routine. Using a pool skimmer to remove leaves, bugs, grass, and other floating debris before they sink can help keep your water cleaner and reduce the amount of debris your filtration system has to handle.
During windy weather or after a storm, you may need to skim more frequently.
Tip: Don’t wait until debris has piled up. A few minutes of regular skimming is much easier than tackling a pool full of leaves after a storm.
4. Empty Your Skimmer and Pump Baskets
Your pool's circulation system is designed to collect debris but those baskets need some attention, too.
Check your skimmer basket and pump basket regularly, especially after periods of high wind. A basket packed with leaves and debris can restrict water flow and put unnecessary strain on your equipment.
After a major storm, make checking these baskets part of your pool cleanup routine.
5. Brush and Vacuum the Pool
Not everything stays on the surface.
Wind and rain can push dirt, sand, leaves, and other debris to the bottom of your pool. Regular brushing helps loosen debris from pool walls and floors, while vacuuming removes the material from the water.
If your pool gets hit with a significant amount of debris after a storm, give it some extra attention before jumping back into your normal swimming routine.
6. Pay Attention to Your Water Chemistry
Storms can do more than fill your pool with leaves.
Rainwater and debris can affect your pool's water chemistry. After heavy rain or severe weather, test your water and adjust your chemicals as needed.
Keeping your water properly balanced helps your sanitizer work effectively and keeps your pool ready for swimming.
If you notice cloudy water, unusual water levels, or other changes after a storm, take care of the issue before opening the pool back up to swimmers.
7. Have a Post-Storm Pool Cleanup Plan
When severe weather moves through, don't jump straight into cleanup.
Safety comes first. Wait until the storm has completely passed and it is safe to be outside. If there are downed power lines or other hazards around your property, stay away and contact the appropriate professionals.
Once it’s safe, inspect your pool area before getting started.
Look for:
- Fallen branches
- Leaves and other organic debris
- Damaged equipment
- Debris that may have entered the pool
- Changes in water level
- Damage to your pool cover
- Damage to fencing or surrounding structures
Remove large debris first, then skim, brush, and vacuum the pool as needed. Finally, test your water and make any necessary chemical adjustments.
Be Storm-Ready Before the Storm Arrives
Here in Illinois, severe weather is part of living in the Midwest. While you can’t control the weather, you can control how prepared your pool area is.
A few simple habits like keeping your pool covered when appropriate, securing loose items, maintaining your landscaping, skimming regularly, and checking your equipment, can make a big difference when the next storm rolls through.
Keep Your Pool Clean All Season Long
At American Sale, we know that enjoying your pool is a lot more fun than cleaning it. The right pool-care products, covers, cleaning tools, and maintenance supplies can make keeping your backyard pool clean and ready for swimming much easier.
Prepare now, stay consistent with maintenance, and you’ll spend less time cleaning up debris and more time enjoying your pool all summer long.